National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden announced the names of his top lieutenants in the push for member dues ahead of the fall midterms, according to an internal conference email obtained by CQ Roll Call. Walden named Majority Whip-elect Steve Scalise and Reps. Kevin Brady of Texas, Erik Paulsen of Minnesota and John Shimkus of Illinois as the NRCCs "Battleground Program" chairs.

"As you know, the Battleground Program is the major dues drive of the year," Walden of Oregon wrote. "With their enthusiasm and fundraising efforts, I am certain that we will be able to continue our attack on Democrat candidates in for supporting flawed and costly legislation like ObamaCare."

The email featured a headline logo of "Drive for 245," the GOP's campaign to increase its number of House seats from 234 to to 245 after this fall. Democrats must capture a net of 17 seats in order to win control of the House — an unlikely scenario at this point.

Republicans typically begin the push for dues later in the cycle than Democrats. Even so, some GOP operatives on the Hill expressed pessimism about their prospects to narrow the financial gap by the fall.

As of May, House Republicans trailed House Democrats in cycle-to-date fundraising by $10.7 million. A major factor in that disparity is President Barack Obama's fundraising on behalf of the DCCC. "The Fundraiser-in-Chief has been busy this past week, deciding to raise money for Nancy Pelosi and the DCCC instead of solving the crisis on the border," Walden wrote.